SimonandSian

Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help/advise.

We arrived a year ago on a 189 visa and are planning on getting citizenship when the time comes. We are looking into getting a credit card for frequent flier points but wondering if there is a waiting period before we should apply for a credit card. I don't want to apply and get rejected - it says that I should be a permanent resident which I am, but wondered if anyone had experiences they could share?

Thanks

S+S

Hi guys, 

so our container arrived in Fremantle this week and we have been contacted by the WA agent to say that there is $480 owing which is a "Quarantine Examination Fee" and PSS have said that quarantine fee is something that they specifically do not cover.

Just wanted to check that this sounds right to everyone who has been through the process? I wasn't expecting such a large fee to be honest and it seems it is not because an item has been identified, just a standard fee from what that are saying. The firm in WA are 'KENT removals' just for info

Thanks in advance

15 minutes ago, AJ said:

Your visa status can be checked on VEVO by Medicare/Tax etc, there used to be a visa label put in your passport, but all held on computer now.

That’s perfect! Didn’t know about VEVO but have just downloaded it and saw that it solves the problem! Many thanks

Hi everyone. We finally arrived in Perth this week, super excited to start setting everything up etc

one thing that we have discussed is that we have no ‘proof’ that we have a 189 visa in our passport - not even an arrival stamp!. Nothing was mentioned at the customs desk about a permanent stay. We presumed that we would need proof of visa for things like Medicare / tax and we have our email notification from our immi account but nothing else

Can anyone shed any light for us please?

Thank you. Will look into both!

THAnk you - I ended up getting it one way with insure and go. Bit pricey and had to get it worldwide as we are stopping in Singapore but another thing ticked off the list!!

I have had a quick scan of the topics and although I think I have seen this discussed before, I couldn't find an answer sorry.

We are making the trip to Oz (finally) this weekend and with the last minute packing etc I have had a panic about travel insurance. 

We are stopping in Singapore for a few days but as it is a one way trip regular travel insurance won't do because we need to be repatriated to Oz if anyone gets ill rather than the uk.

Has anyone got any advice on which companies offer insurance for a trip with the purpose of migration?

Many thanks

Simon and Sian

Does anyone have any recommendations for parcel companies that are reliable but do not charge over the odds for   1-2 boxes that we will need to send in addition to our shipment and luggage allowance. 

Christmas got a bit bit out of hand so would like to send a few things but no bothered about it taking quite a few weeks! 

Has  anyone used a service from the uk to Aus (Perth) preciously? 

Thanks

Hey all, 

we we are on the final countdown and fly out to Australia on the 7th Jan. all the big stuff is done (we hope)! 

Just wondering if if there is anything anyone forgot or wished they had done before leaving the uk. Thinking more about little stuff rather than big things! 

Hoping we can learn from others experiences and avoid the “why didn’t we think to do that” chat!

many thanks

simon and sian (plus 2 young ones!)

1 hour ago, ScottieGirl said:

Customs will check the inventory and decide what,if anything , to check. Things don't  have to be spotless but they do have to be clean, just use your common sense. Mud on bikes for example needs to be removed. The removalists told me to wash out the Dyson dust container but that took me 5 minutes.

Some bizarre things get checked, Xmas decs often get checked, apparently there is a type of pine that is a no no,

If something fails the checks you will be given the option of paying to have it treated or paying to have it disposed of.  Depends what it is but you will probbably pay a couple of hundred dollars. I had to have 2 dog beds treated, they had been washed but custons insisted on irradiating them. They only cost $10 in the first place!

Just be sensible about it, clean stuff but don't make it surgically sterile.

That’s really helpful and reassuring. Thank you very much!

Hi all,

Apologies if this has been discussed a lot previously but I couldn’t find it in a search.

We are packing up our stuff for shipment and starting to clean shoes / bikes / vacuum etc.

Would just like some advice on how worried we should be about this... is every single box/item checked the other side? 

I’m not looking to cut corners and will be using a heap of jeyesfluid on the bikes and outdoor stuff, but i have just spent an hour trying to clean the dyson internally and have done the best i can, but i’m Sure there are still specs of dust etc inside. If it is inspected and expected to be spotless I’m a  bit concerned it might be an issue!?

If an issue is identified in customs - are we looking at a fine and confiscation of the item? 

Has anyone got any experience of issues the other side, or are there some good news stories of it all being ok in the end?!

Many thanks

Simon and Sian

Thank you all

On 26/08/2017 at 12:22, Melbpom said:

HSBC have better customer service IMHO than any of the big 4.

Can you open a HSBC account from the UK ?

On 22/09/2017 at 09:33, John from Moneycorp said:

Hi Simon

Please could you email me - john.kinghorn@moneycorp.com

I will look into this asap for you.

Thanks

John 

Thanks John - all set up now. 

Are there any charges at all when transferring money into an Australian bank account? 

Do you publish your exchange rates daily? 

On 17/09/2017 at 10:15, The Pom Queen said:

No, it's just when you carry cash. 

Sorry to hijack!

Just wondering if there are any logistical issues / unforeseen charges when transferring money.

We have set up an account with moneycorp and am in the process of sorting an account with Commonwealth at the moment. 

I know moneycorp say they waive any charges for forum members but wondered if there are any taxes or anything to pay to the Australian government?

We will be transferring a large sum while the pound has strengthened to keep as a house deposit in perth 

Many thanks 

On 01/02/2012 at 02:11, John from Moneycorp said:

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The following text outlines the 4 step process and how it works.

 

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To start making money transfers, you will need to open an account with Moneycorp. This can be done online and only takes a few minutes - click here to register

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 For further information regarding the different options when buying your currency, please click here

 

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You may use one of a variety of payment methods to send your funds to Moneycorp. Everything will be explained clearly by our staff and there is a dedicated customer service team who can help you with any questions you might have.

 

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Hi John. 

I tried to open a moneycorp account earlier earlier in the week but it said there is a 'delay with the systems' and I haven't had a confirmation of the account being open yet. 

Is there a timescale on the delay? I was hoping to take advantage of the stronger pound soon (ish)

many thanks

simon

2 hours ago, SJB123 said:

No problem. Most schools have dedicated uniform shops, it will usually tell you where to buy uniforms from if you check the school website.

The school year over here is a bit weird, I assumed it would run January to December to coincide with the summer break, but it actually runs July to June. To put that in context, if for example your child was born in July and started Year 2 in September in the UK, by the time you arrive in Australia the following January they would actually only be starting in Year 1. Kids born September through to June restart the same year they were in in January.

Sorry if that sounds confusing...it took me a while to get my head around it!!

That does sound confusing! 

Our 4 year old just started reception, born in march, so she will start reception again in Feb??

5 minutes ago, SJB123 said:

Hi, 

We moved to Perth last December and I arranged our kids schooling a week or so before they were due to start (primary and secondary aged) as schools were shut before then. They all started on the first day of term no problems. Just make sure you sort out uniforms and kids over here also need their own books, stationery, etc, just be sure to ask for the list of requirements  

Thank you so much. That's very reassuring. 

Hadnt really thought about uniforms but presume we will we will be able to buy when we have enrolled as we arrive 11th Jan (a few weeks before school starts)

out of interest, with the school years being slightly out of sync - do children generally resit the first term of the school year they are in?

Hi all, having read a few threads about pensions I am still none the wiser!

We are migrating in January on a skilled independent visa (my wife and I are both 32) with two young children. At this stage we cannot be sure if we will be in Australia to draw our pension in 30+ years!!

Any advice or guidance on what everyone else has done with their pensions (if anything would be greatly appreciated)

I have an NHS pension (plus private as I only work NHS part time) and my wife has a teachers pension -- if that makes any difference

Thank you in advance

Simon and Sian

Hi all,

So first of all I know this is a purely subjective question but we are heading to perth in January and will look to secure a rental ASAP on arrival (we can stay with family for a few weeks).

We have been in perth on a working holiday visa a few years ago and loved the Fremantle vibe, and have friends in beaconsfield so were going to aim for this area (beaconsfield / Hamilton hill / white gum / south freo probably in our budget).

But we do not have a recent experience of these suburbs, do they have a good reputation within perth? We have young children so schooling is important and also being close (ish) to the beach.

Thanks in advance

Simon and sian

Hi unzippy- thanks for getting in touch!

We had a very positive experience you'll be glad to know! I presume you have booked with PSS also?

First of all the crew were very friendly and helpful - I was concerned they may be grumpy and cause issues as the inventory had changed a bit from when the survey was taken.

They packed all our clothes from the wardrobes, all the kitchen stuff, dismantled the beds/dining tables etc. 

They also gave advice on what was ok to take and what probably wasn't worth the risk. 

Our pack is slightly different as they were packing the house that we have just sold, but we are then storing in self storage until November when they will return, add some stuff that we have needed between now and then and ship aiming for the container to be in perth mid-late January 2018.

we were pretty stressed and felt very underprepared but it was fairly stress free in the end. 

Are you packing and shipping straight away? When do you fly and where to?

Best of luck!

On 21/08/2017 at 03:57, snifter said:

Other people have posted recently saying the same re their shipping company and all the disclaimers they were given for opting for an independent insurance. 

I'd say it was standard to cover themselves. 

Honestly, independent is much better IMHO. I've not read any horror stories from people making claims when using one. I have read many when people make claims against the shipping companies insurance and how it drags on and every £ or $ being claimed is fought for.

You can read plenty of feedback on the forum I am sure

 

 

Thanks snifter, just wanted the reassurance really! not doubting our choice to go with letton at all now. Insurance in place and packing begins tomorrow!

On 30/06/2017 at 15:47, James Hallam said:

Haha @Stev it caught me out for a second as well. Physio is luckily still on the list. I applied back in May anyhow.

Hi James, Just came across your post as don't see many fellow physios on here! we have our visas and are heading to Perth in January. Just wondering how far along you are with the process? and what you have done about your registration etc?

Best of luck

Simon

On 22/07/2017 at 20:29, Ozzie said:

Hi @SimonandSian just saw this and thought I'd mention Letton Percival do have mould cover as standard. I investigated shipping insurance and also independent and independent won each time.

Thank you! 

I have just had the disclaimer to sign for our shipping company as we are going to go with Letton too - bit daunting as it reads like they absolve themselves of any blame! Presume its standard

Thanks all for the input - like you've all said getting clarity and reading the fine print is the only way to go!

Thanks for the info regarding the policy that can be attached the the super too - preferably we would not take out another policy as we are a few years older etc but will get clarity form our provider first